Renewable energy usage reaches all time high

Renewable electricity contributed an all time high of 9.6% of the UK’s grid mix in the second quarter of the year, according to statistics revealed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on Thursday (29 September). This represents a 50% rise on the same time last year.

The surge in green energy was led by the wind energy sector, which saw output rise by 120%, and hydroelectricity, which saw a rise of 75%.

Nuclear energy also saw a large increase, now making up 21% of the UK’s overall supply; its’ highest since 2006.

Gas still made up 44% of UK electricity supply, but this was well down on last year’s 53%.

The large increase in low carbon generation is partly the result of weather-related variations. For example, wind energy output was relatively low during the second quarter of 2010, while the mild spring will have contributed to the fall in overall energy use.

There has also been a steady increase in capacity, evidenced by the opening of new offshore wind farms and biomass power plants.

Scotland has played a leading role in renewable electricity generation; in 2010 the country had around 20% more renewable generating capacity than England, although generation south of the border was actually 45% higher owing to intensive use of biofuels.

These encouraging statistics are reflective of the growing trend towards alternatives to fossil fuels, further enhanced by homeowners also taking up the green mantle and generating their own, small-scale, heat and electricity.

Logic4training delivers a range of MCS recognised renewables courses, providing installers with the correct skills to assist the domestic sector in contributing to the UK’s renewable energy production.